THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:	The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents Cultural Education Committee
FROM:	Carole Huxley
SUBJECT:	Trusteeship Plans
DATE:	November 10, 2005
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goals 2, 4 and 5
AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

SUMMARY

 

Issue for Discussion

 

What issues should come before the Trusteeship Committee?

 

Reason(s) for Consideration: Review of Policy

 

At the Regents Retreat in July, you decided that the Regents could better exercise their trusteeship over the institutions directly administered through the Office of Cultural Education with two major changes in the Regents schedule and organizational structure.  Those changes were:

·       Establishing a Trusteeship Committee of the Board, and

·       Extending the meeting time spent on trustee responsibilities three or four times a year.

 

Proposed Handling

 

At your December meeting, the Cultural Education Committee will review the attached draft 24-month agenda for the Trusteeship Committee, based on two extended meetings during the Regents scheduled meetings and a one-day meeting separate from the Regents meeting.  Regents will provide guidance in putting together a final 24-month calendar.  Also in December, in accordance with the Regents request at the Retreat, the Quality Committee will discuss and make recommendations to the Board for scheduling and membership of the Trustee Committee.

 

 

 

 

Procedural History

 

Constraints of the Regents schedule have made it difficult for members to review the operations of the State Archives, the State Library and the State Museum to the degree of oversight that they wish to achieve.  Onsite inspections of the institutions; review of the research, educational and public programs and services; adequacy of the physical plant; and priorities for greater access through electronic innovations and more effective statewide outreach are a few of the central issues that Regents would like to evaluate.

 

 

Background Information

 

The three cultural institutions under the direct trusteeship of the Board of Regents are among the largest of their kind in the United States.  The public investment over 170 years has produced collections of great research and historical importance. These collections are held in trust for the people of New York and require vigilant stewardship by the Regents and the highest standard of professionalism on the part of the staff to ensure their proper care, educational and research use and focused use of resources to achieve the greatest results for priorities.

 

Recommendation

 

The recommendation is that the Regents review and amend the 24-month calendar for the Trusteeship Committee.

 

Timetable for Implementation

 

A final 24-month agenda will be before the Committee in January.  The Trusteeship Committee will hold its first meeting as part of the Regents Meeting in February 2006.

 

 

Attachment